New trend towards a house in the countryside

A cottage in the countryside is an attractive alternative for more and more Germans. Two-thirds of those surveyed are seriously considering a move, creating a new trend. Large houses and flats are particularly in demand.

The peace and quiet, the proximity to nature and the possibility of having one's own garden are arguments in favour of moving to a more rural region. On the internet portal ImmoScout24, searches for houses in rural locations have increased by around 30 percent since the pandemic. Particularly in the areas surrounding Berlin and Hamburg, demand for single-family homes has risen significantly more than in the cities themselves.

The desire to move to the countryside is stronger among men than among women: 66 percent of those surveyed said they would consider moving to a more rural region. Among women, the figure was just under 60 percent. At 67 and 68 percent, the desire is strongest in the younger age groups 18 to 29 and 30 to 39.

In addition to the greater proximity to nature, the lower housing costs and more living space are good arguments in favour of rural life for more than one in two. Almost 57 per cent of those surveyed see disadvantages above all in the longer commutes to work. In addition, just under half said that the less variety of shopping and cultural opportunities was a disadvantage.

Nationwide, demand for single-family homes in rural areas increased by more than 31 per cent between January 2020 and January 2022, compared to only 20 per cent for condominiums and nine per cent for rental flats.

The strongest increase in demand was for condominiums and single-family houses of more than 150 square metres, followed by flats of 80 to 100 square metres.

In the surrounding areas of Berlin and Hamburg, demand for single-family homes increased the most. Munich also saw an increase in demand in the surrounding area, but demand in the urban area is much higher.

(Photo: © Ilona F., Pixabay)